Abstract: Systems and methods for an electrical connector (e.g., of a vehicle) include a housing and a terminal at least partially disposed in the housing, defining a set of angled blade terminals, and configured to electrically connect to (i) an electrical system along a first axis and (ii) a set of exposed conductive circuit traces of a flexible circuit (FC) arranged along a second axis, wherein an acute angle is defined between the first and second axes and corresponds to the set of angled blade terminals.

Abstract: Electrical connector systems and methods create an electrical connection between a flexible circuit (FC) and a metal terminal of another connector. A reliable electrical connection is achieved with a low-cost tin contact plating, by an automatic FC to metal terminal wiping action with contact force, during the connector to FC assembly process. The connector to FC assembly process is also well suited for automated robotic assembly, which can save costs compared to manual assembly/installation.

Abstract: A seal that is configured to engage an elongate element, such as a wire cable, and a cavity wall is presented. The seal includes a seal body that is formed of a compliant material such as a silicone rubber. The seal has an outer surface that engages the cavity surface. The seal body defines a gallery extending therethrough and surrounded by an inner surface of the seal body. The seal body has a forward surface extending from a forward edge of the outer surface to a forward edge of the inner surface and a rearward surface extending from a rearward edge of the outer surface to a rearward edge of the inner surface. The seal further includes a support element formed of a rigid material, such as glass filled polyester or NYLON, extending through the seal body in a direction substantially parallel to the inner surface.

Abstract: A seal that is configured to engage an elongate element, such as a wire cable, and a cavity wall is presented. The seal includes a seal body that is formed of a compliant material such as a silicone rubber. The seal has an outer surface that engages the cavity surface. The seal body defines a gallery extending therethrough and surrounded by an inner surface of the seal body. The seal body has a forward surface extending from a forward edge of the outer surface to a forward edge of the inner surface and a rearward surface extending from a rearward edge of the outer surface to a rearward edge of the inner surface. The seal further includes a support element formed of a rigid material, such as glass filled polyester or NYLON, extending through the seal body in a direction substantially parallel to the inner surface.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes male and female connector bodies formed with a plurality of terminal cavities in which electrical cables are disposed with the terminals secured against removal from the cavities by flexible lances engaging walls within the terminal cavities. A seal on the cables closes and seals the cavities in which they are installed. At least one of the cavities is unoccupied by a cable and is closed by a non-electrically conductive locking cavity plug. The locking cavity plug has a flexible lance that engages a wall within the unoccupied cavity in which it is installed to secure the plug against removal and carries a seal which engages and seals the unoccupied cavity.

Abstract: A coaxial-cable-assembly includes a coaxial-cable and a tubular-ferrule. The coaxial-cable includes an outer-jacket and an exposed outer-shield conductor. The tubular-ferrule includes a crimp-zone, a skirt-zone, and a transition-zone therebetween. The tubular-ferrule defines a relief-slot having an open-end, a closed-end, and two parallel-edges that extend from the crimp-zone to the skirt-zone. The crimp-zone is brought into forcible contact with the exposed outer-shield conductor by drawing the two parallel-edges into close proximity, such that a crimp-zone-diameter is reduced to less than a skirt-zone-diameter. As a result, the closed-end of the relief-slot forms an aperture in a junction of the transition-zone and the skirt-zone.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is presented herein. The electrical connector includes a pair of connector blocks each defining a groove in an end surface that is configured to have an electrical conductor of an electrical cable partially disposed within it, e.g. a carbon nanotube conductor. The electrical connector also includes a housing configured to receive connector blocks, align the groove of one connector block with the groove of the other connector block, and hold the connector blocks together such that the electrical conductors within the grooves are in direct physical and electrical contact with the one another and are compressed. An electrical cable assembly incorporating such as connector and an method of manufacturing a cable assembly using such a connector is also presented.

Abstract: A coaxial-cable-assembly includes a coaxial-cable and a tubular-ferrule. The coaxial-cable includes an outer-jacket and an exposed outer-shield conductor. The tubular-ferrule includes a crimp-zone, a skirt-zone, and a transition-zone therebetween. The tubular-ferrule defines a relief-slot having an open-end, a closed-end, and two parallel-edges that extend from the crimp-zone to the skirt-zone. The crimp-zone is brought into forcible contact with the exposed outer-shield conductor by drawing the two parallel-edges into close proximity, such that a crimp-zone-diameter is reduced to less than a skirt-zone-diameter. As a result, the closed-end of the relief-slot forms an aperture in a junction of the transition-zone and the skirt-zone.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes male and female connector bodies formed with a plurality of terminal cavities in which electrical cables are disposed with the terminals secured against removal from the cavities by flexible lances engaging walls within the terminal cavities. A seal on the cables closes and seals the cavities in which they are installed. At least one of the cavities is unoccupied by a cable and is closed by a non-electrically conductive locking cavity plug. The locking cavity plug has a flexible lance that engages a wall within the unoccupied cavity in which it is installed to secure the plug against removal and carries a seal which engages and seals the unoccupied cavity.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes male and female connector bodies formed with a plurality of locking cavities in which electrical cables are disposed with the terminal ends thereof secured against removal from the cavities by lock arms within the cavities engaging catches of the terminal ends. A seal on the cables closes and seals the cavities in which they are installed. At least one of the cavities is unoccupied by a cable and is closed by a non-electrical locking plug. The plug has a catch that engages the lock aim of the unoccupied cavities in which it is installed to secure the plug against removal and carries a seal which engages and seals the unoccupied cavities.

Abstract: A lamp socket assembly comprises a lamp bulb having a wedge base, a lamp socket and two electrical terminals. The electrical terminals have receptacle portions which include spring contact arms which engage the contact wires of the lamp bulb and limit its insertion into the lamp socket. The receptacles also include spring detent arms which retain the wedge base in the terminals.

Abstract: A miniature female electrical terminal of unitary sheet metal construction comprises a receptacle, a forward appendage which is juxtaposed the receptacle and which has a tang and spaced side rails which protect the latch tang, and a rearward appendage for assistance in inserting the terminal into a terminal cavity of a connector body.